Locked In with Algenon Cash

The North Carolina election 2026 is becoming a test of whether Republican candidates can separate their records in Raleigh from what’s happening in Washington.

NC Representative Jeff Zenger joins Locked In with Algenon Cash for a candid conversation about Michael Whatley and the political environment facing Republicans heading into November. Zenger represents House District 74 in Forsyth County and faces Democrat Amy Taylor North in a rematch of one of the Triad’s closest legislative races of 2024.

Zenger believes his record on economic growth, lower taxes, regulatory reform and housing gives voters a reason to judge him independently of national politics. He also makes the case that a voter can support Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate and still move down the ballot to vote for a Republican like Zenger.

But his reelection fight isn’t only about national politics. Zenger addresses criticism surrounding his development dispute with the Town of Lewisville, explains what happened from his perspective and pushes back against some of the claims that have followed him politically.

The conversation also examines Trump’s influence on the Republican Party, Michael Whatley’s U.S. Senate campaign, ticket-splitting, down-ballot turnout and what the midterms could mean for Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly. As the North Carolina election 2026 approaches, Zenger’s race could become an interesting test of whether voters will judge state lawmakers on their individual records or allow national politics to shape their decisions further down the ballot.

The post Can Jeff Zenger Survive the 2026 Election? | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

The city is experiencing extraordinary economic momentum while confronting serious questions about its finances, public safety, taxes, development and trust in local government.

And now there’s an effort to recall the mayor.

This week on Locked In with Algenon Cash, Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter sits down for more than an hour to talk about all of it.

We discuss Greensboro’s placement on North Carolina’s Unit Assistance List and what the increased state scrutiny actually means. I ask about spending, reserves, future borrowing and her confidence in City Manager Trey Davis.

We also get into Greensboro’s 180-day moratorium on large data centers, the city’s response to recent violence and whether residents are truly benefiting from Greensboro’s remarkable economic growth.

Then we get personal.

Why does she think some residents want her removed from office? Has City Hall lost public trust? And what does she believe her critics are getting right?

Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter answers the questions facing her and the city she leads.

What is happening in Greensboro?

The post What Is Happening in Greensboro? | Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

What does it mean to keep trusting God when life doesn’t go your way?

John Davenport Jr., author of The River Principle: Trading Self-Reliance for the Only Source That Never Runs Dry, joins Locked In with Algenon Cash for a conversation about self-reliance, money, surrender, faith and our desire to control what happens next.

At the center of The River Principle is a distinction between the “lake” and the “river.” We spend our lives building lakes — accumulating money, developing careers, forming relationships, making plans and creating resources designed to make us feel secure. John’s argument isn’t that we shouldn’t build, save or prepare. His challenge is what happens when we begin treating those resources as the ultimate source of our security.

But faith also raises difficult questions.

How do you know when God is actually speaking to you? How do you distinguish God’s voice from fear, ego, intuition or your own desires? Where is the line between responsible planning and self-reliance? And can you keep trusting God when surrender doesn’t produce the outcome you wanted?

John and Algenon explore faith during uncertain times, the tension between surrender and personal responsibility, and whether our desire for control can prevent us from experiencing genuine peace.

Because perhaps surrender isn’t believing everything will work out exactly as we planned.

Perhaps it’s discovering that we can still be okay when it doesn’t.

The post Can You Trust God When Life Doesn’t Go Your Way? | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

On this episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, Algenon sits down with Savannah Thorne of the NC Folk Festival to explore the NC Folk Festival economic impact and the larger relationship between culture, tourism, private investment and economic development in North Carolina.

The NC Folk Festival brings more than 135,000 people to downtown Greensboro for three days of music, food, art and cultural experiences. But while admission is free, producing a festival of this scale is not. The nonprofit must raise more than $1.5 million annually, making corporate sponsorships, individual donors and community support essential to keeping the experience accessible to everyone.

The conversation examines an often-overlooked side of North Carolina’s economy: the economic value created by experiences.

Ultimately, the NC Folk Festival economic impact raises a larger question for communities across the state: What happens when thousands of visitors arrive in a city and spend money at restaurants, hotels, shops and local businesses? Can festivals strengthen downtowns and support small businesses? Can music, food, arts and culture help North Carolina communities attract visitors, retain talent and become more desirable places to live?

Algenon and Savannah also discuss the important role private companies play in supporting community institutions. Businesses are often criticized for generating profits, but those profits also give companies the ability to voluntarily reinvest capital into cultural organizations, nonprofits and community experiences like the NC Folk Festival.

And, of course, they explore the festival itself — including what “folk” means today, the diversity of musical genres represented, North Carolina artists, food trucks, local makers, family activities and what visitors can expect when the NC Folk Festival returns to downtown Greensboro.

It’s a conversation about much more than music. It’s about tourism, private investment, quality of life and whether festivals should be considered part of North Carolina’s broader economic-development strategy.

The post Can Festivals Help Build North Carolina’s Economy? | NC Folk Festival | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

Did Greensboro make the right decisions?

Former Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins joins Algenon Cash on Locked In for a candid conversation about the major decisions shaping Greensboro, North Carolina — from property taxes and data centers to downtown development, economic growth and the direction of the new City Council.

Greensboro recently adopted a 79.85-cent property tax rate as city leaders wrestle with the rising cost of providing public services. At the same time, the debate over data centers has generated significant public attention and raised larger questions about development, infrastructure and how Greensboro should manage future growth.

Perkins brings the perspective of someone who has actually occupied the mayor’s chair. He discusses how elected leaders balance public pressure with long-term decision-making, what he sees in Greensboro’s new City Council, the future of downtown Greensboro and what the city must get right as it continues to grow.

The conversation also explores the increasingly influential role of social media in local politics and what Perkins learned from his 2025 campaign for mayor.

In this episode:

• Greensboro’s property tax increase and budget controversy
• The debate surrounding data centers in Greensboro
• Growth, development and protecting community interests
• Downtown Greensboro and economic development
• The direction of the new Greensboro City Council
• Social media’s influence on local politics
• Lessons from the 2025 Greensboro mayoral election
• Where Greensboro goes from here

The post Did Greensboro Make the Right Decisions? Property Taxes & Data Centers with Robbie Perkins | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

Housing affordability has become one of the defining economic issues facing America.

In this episode of Locked In, Algenon Cash sits down with Clay Grubb, CEO of Grubb Properties, for an in-depth conversation about the future of housing, the affordability crisis, multifamily development, commercial real estate, and the policies shaping our communities.

Grubb Properties has built its national reputation around Essential Housing—developing communities for the “missing middle”: working professionals who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but struggle to afford luxury apartments. Through its Link Apartments platform, the company focuses on long-term housing solutions in high-growth markets. 

Topics include:

• Why housing has become increasingly unaffordable

• America’s housing shortage

• Supply, demand, and multifamily housing

• Essential Housing and the missing middle

• Interest rates and capital markets

• Public policy and zoning

• Commercial real estate investing

• The future of housing in America

The post The Future of Housing in America: A Conversation with Clay Grubb | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

Why are American cities changing?

From rising property taxes and housing costs to artificial intelligence, economic development, and declining public trust in institutions, local leaders across the country are being asked to solve increasingly complex problems. While every city has its own story, many are wrestling with the same fundamental questions about growth, affordability, infrastructure, and the future of public leadership.

In this episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, Greensboro Mayor Pro Tem Denise Turner Roth joins the conversation to explore these questions through the lens of one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing cities.

Together, we explore what it means to govern during a period of rapid transformation. The conversation examines Greensboro’s recent property tax increase and the difficult balance between investing in public services while addressing affordability concerns. We discuss how cities compete for economic development in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and data centers, the opportunities and tradeoffs that accompany growth, and the challenge of preparing communities for an economy that is changing faster than government itself.

We also examine how social media has transformed the relationship between elected officials and the public, the opportunities and challenges of serving on a relatively new City Council, and why downtown revitalization remains central to Greensboro’s long-term vision.

Although this conversation is rooted in Greensboro, its themes extend far beyond North Carolina. Whether you live in a large metropolitan area or a growing small city, the questions explored in this episode are becoming increasingly relevant across the United States.

If you’re interested in the future of American cities, economic development, local government, public policy, urban planning, leadership, housing affordability, or the forces shaping communities across the country, this episode offers a thoughtful, long-form conversation about where America’s cities are headed—and what today’s decisions may mean for the next generation.

The post Why American Cities Are Changing: What Greensboro Can Teach Us About Growth | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

What happens when the institution that introduced you to God becomes the source of your deepest pain?

In this episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, Algenon sits down with clergy leader, author, and spiritual teacher Chantal McKinney for a thoughtful conversation about following Jesus beyond church, spiritual awakening, and the difference between organized religion and a personal relationship with God.

Drawing from her personal journey and her new book, Chantal shares how abuse and institutional failure challenged everything she believed, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings and a more authentic relationship with God. Together, they explore why following Jesus beyond church doesn’t mean abandoning Christian community. Instead, it means rediscovering Christ’s invitation to inner transformation, the Kingdom of God within, and a faith rooted in compassion and love rather than institutional identity.

The conversation examines the difference between gathering as followers of Christ and viewing the church as a building or institution. Chantal reflects on Jesus’ emphasis on inner transformation, discussing how His teachings repeatedly pointed people toward a changed heart rather than religious performance. They also explore why so many people today are leaving organized religion while continuing to seek God, and whether modern Christianity has unintentionally shifted attention away from the inward spiritual journey Jesus described.

Algenon and Chantal also discuss healing after spiritual abuse, reclaiming personal spiritual authority, forgiveness, and the role community should play in a healthy faith journey. Rather than offering easy answers, this episode invites listeners to wrestle with timeless questions about discipleship, purpose, and what it truly means to follow Jesus in today’s rapidly changing world.

Whether you’re a lifelong Christian, wrestling with organized religion, recovering from church hurt, or simply seeking a deeper spiritual life, this conversation offers an honest and compassionate exploration of faith, healing, and inner transformation.

The post What Happens When the Church Breaks Your Heart? | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

America feels more divided than ever, but is politics really the problem?

In this episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, I sit down with author, radio host, political commentator, and public policy expert Lenny McAllister for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, faith, identity, community, and the future of America.

Rather than focusing on partisan talking points, we explore the deeper issues shaping our culture and society. We discuss the rise of identity politics, the importance of independent thinking, the challenge of finding common ground, and why meaningful change often begins within individuals and communities long before it reaches Washington.

We also discuss Lenny’s upcoming book, A Venn Diagram of One: An American Story, which explores what it means to live outside America’s political and cultural silos. Through personal stories, faith, leadership, and bridge-building, Lenny challenges readers to think critically, act with purpose, and rediscover what unites us as Americans. The book will be released on August 11, 2026.

This is not a hard-hitting political interview. It’s a relaxed and thoughtful conversation about ideas, perspective, leadership, personal growth, and the future of our communities and country.

CONNECT WITH LENNY MCALLISTER

Website:
www.LennyMcAllister.com

Pre-Order A Venn Diagram of One:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-venn-diagram-of-one-lenny-mcallister/1149726089?ean=9781637635940

Book Information:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Venn-Diagram-of-One/Lenny-McAllister/9781637635940

The post Lenny McAllister: Political Leadership and Finding Common Ground | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.

Former Mayor Newell Clark joins Locked In with Algenon Cash for a reflective conversation about leadership, family legacy, economic development, and the future of Lexington, North Carolina.

Rather than focusing on politics, this discussion explores the experiences and perspectives Former Mayor Newell Clark has gained through decades of community involvement and public service. He shares stories about his family’s deep roots in Lexington, the lessons he learned while serving as Mayor, and how his perspective has changed now that he is observing the city as a private citizen.

We discuss the recent Uptown Lexington fire and its impact on local businesses, workforce housing challenges, downtown revitalization, community identity, and what opportunities lie ahead for Lexington’s next generation of leaders.

This episode is part of Locked In’s ongoing mission to introduce audiences to the people, relationships, and subject matter experts within Algenon Cash’s sphere of influence—offering insights on leadership, business, economics, public policy, entrepreneurship, and community building.

The post Former Mayor Newell Clark Reflects on Uptown Lexington’s Growth and Struggles | Locked In appeared first on Algenon Cash.